DOVER — Dover Elementary School was awarded $29,000 from the Arkansas School Recognition and Reward Program for the school's performance on the most recent Benchmark exam.

Dover Elementary School scored in the top 20 percent of all public schools in Arkansas.

"The Arkansas School Recognition and Reward Program provides financial awards to public schools that experience high student performance, student academic growth and, for secondary schools, high graduation rate," Principal Josh Daniels said.

The Arkansas School Recognition and Reward Program awards $50 per enrolled student to public or charter schools who score between the top 11 and top 20 percent. Funds must be used for non-recurring expenses such as onetime bonuses to faculty and staff, purchasing educational equipment or hiring temporary personnel for the school.

The purpose of the funds is to "assist in maintaining and improving student performance," Daniels said.

A committee consisting of Daniels, a teacher chosen by the faculty and a parent chosen by the Parent Teacher Association voted the funds be used for new technology for student use.

The school has submitted its proposal to the state department requesting three classroom sets of Chromebook laptops on mobile carts. If approved, the Chromebooks will be checked out and used in the classroom during daily instruction.

Daniels said the district credits the school's teaching staff and their pupils with this accomplishment.

"Our staff and students deserve the recognition for this award," he said. "Our teachers have a dedication and passion for their profession. They do all the little things to make sure our students are achieving at a high level."